I'm Sioux Roslawski and this is my blog about writing, dogs, grown-up children, menopause, the joy of a marvelous book, classroom teaching in general, and specifically, the teaching of writing. You can email me at sroslawski(at)yahoo(dot)com.

The Pyrenees---Southern France

Friday, June 3, 2016

Back... But Just Momentarily

Yes, I've been gone for a while, and I'm still not ready to return. I've heard tales that I've been off on some tropical island--with cabana boys making sure the margaritas keep comin'--but alas, that is not the reason behind my absence in the blogosphere. (However, if Viggo Mortenesen was willing to wear shorts, go shirtless, and sip blended drinks next to me, I'd move anywhere... even to Jefferson City, Missouri, which is where he used to live when he had already become a movie star. Jefferson City--less than an hour-and-a-half away from me.)

Here is an old photo of my granddaughter.With her eye peering through the viewfinder,she's reminding me: I need to focus on thingsand get things accomplished.

I've been gone for the following reasons:

Throwing away and giving away and boxing away 16 years worth of teaching stuff took a week. I added to the landfill (I'm sorry) and heaped piles of materials onto several long tables at the school where I left--for good--just a couple of days ago. Hopefully some of my trash will become other teachers' treasures.

Retirement has resulted in some emotional vacillations that I wasn't prepared for.

I'm busy preparing to teach the writing class I've taught for the last two summers which begins soon. It's an intense, four week, five days a week (all day) 6-credit graduate class. I'll be teaching teachers how to get back in touch with themselves as writers--if they've gotten out of touch--along with teaching them how to teach writing more effectively. (It's work, but it's work I love doing.)

I'm in the process of preparing a resume' (something I haven't done in over 17 years). If anyone knows of a wonderful teaching job in a private school in St. Louis or a public/private school in Illinois and can drop it right into my lap, I'd appreciate it. Seriously.

along with my bigger, more important WIP, which I've fretted over but have not worked on

and a wonderful book, The Fireman by Joe, has keep me intoxicated. (Joe Hill! He's got a new book out. This one is not as creepy as NOS4A2, but the plot is keeping me flying through the 700+ pages.)

And I'm still feeling high over the film festival my students created. Their digital stories about Ferguson and their home were incredibly powerful. If I can get permission to share a couple of them, I will. They were that good.

So, for Lisa Ricard Claro and the other two people who occasionally read this blog, I will return (much to your future dismay). It might be sooner or later... but I won't be gone forever.

11 comments:

I was looking for you! Since I don't drink milk, I couldn't find you on the back of a milk carton. You didn't stand out on a Walmart bulletin board. And the gas station chicken store folks told me they have not had any "weird city spy people" locked up lately.

Thanks for the details. I'm sorry about the cabana boys, the margaritas, and Viggo, but you never know what the next tide will bring! Endings, no matter the circumstances, are tough. But this is a beginning for you, too, and I'm looking forward to reading about this next chapter---so you better keep blogging. :)

Retirement can be bittersweet, can't it? I was counting down the days to the retirement party at work, excited as could be. As soon as my boss got up and gave his little farewell speech, I started blubbering like a baby. You will adjust. And more importantly, you will ENJOY!

BTW, it's good to take a break from blogging, IMHO. There are so many other things to do. Enjoy your new freedom, and congratulations!

I would love to read the students' stories. Nice to see you poke your head up. I would say congratulations on your retirement, but it sounds like you are busy as a bee (do you like that phrase? I just made it up. Nice, right? LOL) anyway. Don't forget us.

I've missed you and I'm glad you are okay but busy! I didn't realize you were in/near St. Louis because we were just there for 3 days and had a wonderful time! When I retired 9 years ago, I left with mixed feelings and was retiring because my hubby wanted to do some traveling. I have to say that I love retirement and am having a better time than I ever expected. I teach a grad course every July but that is more my hobby/passion than a job. Hope you find time to take a breath and enjoy some relaxing time.

Ah ha! There you are. So my plots for cozy mystery are shot now that the truth comes out. Good thing, though. They were pretty thin. Your real story has a much happier ending. Could be a series. So get into some trouble, mix things up, and write it all down! (If I were a teacher I'd take your class.) Happy days ahead!

Congratulations on your retirement. Isn't it a good feeling to get rid of (send to the recycle bin) old materials? Good luck with your class. If I hear of any enticing job offers I will let you know. Best wishes to a super star, teacher and writer!